Bulova 1961 Storm King

Submitted by LondonSteve on
HW
Manufacture Year
1961
Movement Model
Unknown
Movement Jewels
Unknown
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
364408
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
30mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hi. I'm a long time user of your excellent website but this is the first time that I've listed a watch from my collection. It is fair to say that the information I've found in your database has helped and inspired my obsession which has lead me to develop what must be one of the largest collections of vintage mechanical men's Bulova watches in the UK. Now it's time to pay you back and I'll gradually be listing quite a number of models that are either not represented in your database, or where I have a particularly good example. 

I have already identified this watch from an advert I found in your "new adverts" section, but it is a first for your database. It is the 1961 "Caribbean", a fairly typical design of the period, in a stainless steel case with feint vertical stripes that sets it apart from other models. I have also added a photo of my second copy of this model which has (very appropriately in view of its name) developed a tropical dial. Unfortunately I have not been able to remove the back of either watch so cannot include a photo of the movement. 

1. 4th March 2026
2. 4th March 2026
3. 4th March 2026
4. 4th March 2026 - 2nd example with Tropical Dial
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas) 30 November 1962
LondonSteve
Posted March 4, 2026 - 4:01pm

The crystal diameter is 30mm. I've no idea how I managed to put 14mm. 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted March 5, 2026 - 3:14am

Excellent! 

carry on...

mybulova_admin
Posted March 6, 2026 - 5:47am

"has helped and inspired my obsession"

Yeah, sorry about that :-)

mybulova_admin
Posted March 6, 2026 - 6:00am

There is also these to consider. The Storm King "GW" and "HW".

Note the mount is different and whilst th "GW" doesn't seem to have a stripped dial like your watch, the "HW" does.

1961 Bulova Storm King "GW" & "HW"

LondonSteve
Posted March 6, 2026 - 6:38am

Interesting. Same watch, same bracelet but 2 different names, which is not uncommon with Bulovas. I suppose it boils down to dates. The advert referring to "Caribbean" was from November 1962. Do you have the date of the Line Book entry for the "Storm King HW"?. 

Perhaps the HW is short for "High Winds". Timed to coincide with the Caribbean stormy season? 🤣

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted March 6, 2026 - 9:14am

The 'CARRIBEAN' shows a ribbed dial, I am not seeing the same on the 'STORM KING' 

LondonSteve
Posted March 6, 2026 - 9:25am

The HW model does seem to have a ribbed dial but it's very very feint in the line book picture. 

JimDon5822
Posted March 6, 2026 - 7:37pm

Welcome we care glad you are participating here.  I am showing that the Storm King was an active model thru 1961-1962 with a series of newspaper ads from 1962 showing the name Caribbean.   I do not show Caribbean in the 1961 Price list in the Catalog section so I am inclined to think that this is a 1961 Bulova Storm King "HW".  I wonder if the name Caribbean was created  for the Christmas 1962 season to sell the Storm King with the idea of the name giving a warm beach vibe.